Urquiola’s debut into bathroom design is blurring boundaries: inside and outside, living and bathing, today and tomorrow. It’s not about technical innovation, but rather redefinition of space and re-conceptualization of use. The designer explains to Interni Magazine, “For me, the bath is the space in the home where we can revive the idea of original contact with nature. It is the space of intimacy, encounter, family sharing; this is why I wanted to imagine it in close contact with plants, with lots of little personal situations.”

Axor Urquiola Collection. Designed by Patricia Urquiola for Hansgrohe.

The Axor Urquiola bathroom suite is the latest of a series of collaborations between Hansgrohe and renowned designers, such as Philippe Starck and Antonio Citterio. Urquiola’s collection of over 50 pieces introduces her characteristic expressiveness, warmth and creative Spanish flair to the bath environment. She is not one to merely follow trends. Massive and monolithic bathroom components have been commonplace lately, transforming bath fixtures, faucets and accessories into sculptural objects seemingly for display rather than use. Conversey, Urquiola’s line evokes comfort and pleasure. Objects are designed to address the human-scale, promoting an intimate relationship with their users. The washbasins with “handles,” and ergonomic controls are products which beg to be used rather than merely admired.

“A flexible space that can expand and open for wider use, but also be subdivided into corners for more intimate, individual use.” The screen-radiator-mirror, a component of the Axor Urquiola collection, operates as a screen to partition space (between the bathroom and the bedroom for example) while providing heat and supplying a multitude of accessories. The sink is a playful adaptation of such: a basin with handles. The “handles” conveniently serve as towel racks, giving it a more casual and user-oriented form. The tub is basically a large-scale version of the sink: a tub basin with handles. According to the designer, the collection is designed to be “a very soft, natural bath, capable of creating a sensation of comfort and pleasure.”

3rings has been an avid fan of Urquiola, consistently following her work for some of the most renowned furniture and design companies. Some of her recent work featured on 3Rings includes the Digitable, Crinoline high-back armchair and Canasta outdoor series for B&B Italia, the Tropicalia chair and the Volant Range for Moroso. If you haven’t already checked out these great products, I promise you won’t be disappointed.